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News


downsmail.co.uk Sir JohnWells remembered


FORMER MP Sir JohnWells, who served Maidstone for 28 years, has died aged 91. Sir John – who earned a knight-


hood in 1984 for his public service – was a colourful character in parlia- ment, noted for an ability to stage eye-catching stunts to make his point. He was also credited with a ro-


bust ability to grasp the complexi- ties of key issues and argue local causes. As an MP, he once noisily chomped on a Kentish apple on the green benches of the House of Commons to highlight the issue of cheap foreign imports from France. On another occasion, Sir John


made a point about the importance of rural life to the UK by riding his horse to parliament, whilst dressed for work in a bowler hat and pin- stripe trousers. The striking black and white image was published in many of


Lorry parking fines ‘should


be enforced’ DESPITE more than 3,500 lorries being pulled up for illegal or unsafe parking, more needs to be done to enforce penalties, says Ukip. More than 3,700 HGVs have been


dealt with by police and highways officers at unsafe and illegal parking locations in Kent in just over a year. Officers from Kent Police and Highways England have moved on, fined or immobilised 3,703 lorries as part of joint enforcement operations since December 2015. In total, 3,098 vehicles have been


moved on, 579 long-distance drivers issued graduated fixed penalty no- tices, 11 HGVs have been moved on and subsequently immobilised for initially refusing to pay their fines. Chief Inspector Tony Dyer from


the Roads Policing Unit said: “Long- distance drivers need to take breaks both for their health and as a legal requirement but it is not acceptable to endanger other road users. “There are facilities where HGV


drivers can take breaks andwe urge them to plan their journeys and take into consideration where they can stop safely and legally. “We continue to target those who disregard this message and park on hard shoulders and slip roads.” Ukip borough councillor Eddie


Powell said:“We need to rigorously enforce the tickets and fines for those who do not obey the law. “It is an all-too-common sight to


see trucks parked under theA20 mo- torway bridge at Chegworth or gouging up the grass verges. “We need to see penalties for all transgressors.”


8 Maidstone March 2017


the national newspapers of the day and has served as the illustration to accompany his recent obituaries. Sir John lived at Mere House, Mereworth, andwas elected to par- liament as a Conservative in 1959. He stood down before the Thatcher landslide of 1987. Far from retiring from public life,


Sir John took on the role of Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in 1992. Before entering the House of Commons, he unsuccessfully fought the seat in Smethwick in the Midlands in 1955, but impressed enough to be chosen to stand in rel- atively-safe Maidstone. Sir John, pictured, was educated


at Eton and Corpus Christie Col- lege, Oxford, and saw war service in the Royal Naval Volunteer Re- serve, joining in the ranks and earn- ing a position as an officer in 1942.


Many tributes have praised his


love of the countryside and country pursuits and recounted his aware- ness of tradition. Sir John was proud of the fact that his great, great, great uncle – who was also called John Wells – was MP for Maidstone from 1820 to 1830. Hildenborough Farmers’ Market,


with which Sir John was long asso- ciated, posted on Facebook: “He will be long-remembered by us, many of whom may be looking out of our windows onto some of his wonderful snowdrops as we look forward to the coming spring. “A very special gentleman who


He worked as a marine engineer, businessman and farmer before being elected to the Maidstone seat. Sir John was married to Lucinda,


who died in 2013, andwas father to Andrew, Oliver, Julia and Henrietta.


we were so pleased to have at our market. He made a difference to everyone he spoke to.” Lauren Barber added: “What a


lovely man and true gentleman. He will be very fondly remembered.”


Olympian Heather to run for RBLI charity


DOUBLE Olympic gold rower Heather Stanning toured the Aylesford base of Royal British Legion Industries as she prepares to run this year’s London marathon in aid of the charity. Heather, a Royal Artillery officer,


won gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016, before retiring from rowing last year. She toured RBLI’s social


enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC), and the charity’s Aylesford village and is pictured meeting BBMC team leader Steve Hammond, who served on the Sir Galahad in the FalklandsWar.


LOCAL Christian churches are joining together to in a bid to con- nect better with Maidstone resi- dents following a focus group consultation. The Waypoint Project is bring-


Churches join to show theway Community events


ing Church of England, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and others under one umbrella for a series of events. Aproject spokesman said its re-


search showed Maidstone people are “open to exploring matters of faith as long as they are not pres- sured”. Project director Helen May (pic-


tured) said: “On a journey, away- point helps us find our way, by showing us where we are and re- minding us of where we have come from. “We then decide where we are going and how to get there; and


this is the essence of The Way- point Project. “Our research indicates people


in Maidstone are open to oppor- tunities to explore faith, provid- ing there is no expectation or pressure.” About 45 people took part in six focus groups last summer.


A RANGE of central events are planned to be put on: Crosslight A dramatic interpreta- tion of the Passion Play by Riding Lights, March 26 and 28 at the Vine Church Boughton Lane, ME15 9QF. Tickets: £10 available from Ethos, Brewer Street Messiah Sing ‘Scratch choir’ re- hearsal, run through and perform- ance all in a day, Saturday April 8 in the United Reformed Church, Week Street ME14 1QU. Perform- ance 7.30pm. Easter Egg Hunt Primary schools have been invited to decorate an egg which will be displayed as part of a hunt in the town centre. Saturday, April 15, 10-4pm. Waypointmaidstone.org.uk


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